With about 100 shoppers and guests in attendance, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries held a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration at its new Goodwill Store and Donation Center in Danvers Plaza on March 21.
“This new store helps us advance our mission in the North Shore. It provides training and work opportunities for individuals in our programs as well as jobs and economic vitality to the local area,” says Joanne Hilferty, president and CEO of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries. “The Goodwill Store provides high-quality, low-cost items for individuals and families and a meaningful way for the local community to recycle clothing and household goods.”
Hilferty was joined by Goodwill board chair Jane C. Edmonds, board member Kevin Bottomley, state representative Theodore Speliotis, Danvers selectman Daniel Bennett, and Dylan O’Sullivan, director of constituent services for congressman Seth Moulton.
The Danvers store is near Goodwill’s Salem Job Training Facility and three participants from that location are working at the store. Goodwill has a long history on the North Shore. Prior to the Salem facility, which opened in 1996, Goodwill had operations in several North Shore communities. Indeed, in the 1970s it offered job training for individuals with developmental disabilities on the grounds of the former Danvers State Hospital.
The new store, with polished cement floors, brightly colored walls, and large photos of clothes and household items on the walls, has a clean, modern look. The store has two TV monitors that display information about Goodwill’s mission as well as store news and discounts. And, the store has a convenient drive-up donation center. On the North Shore, Goodwill has attended donation centers in Peabody and Swampscott.
